Luk 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

The prodigal finally decided to come home to his father's house. He confessed his sins and realizes that what he did was not worthy of a son. In order to confess and repent, one must realize their own worthlessness, imperfection, sins, mistakes, shortcomings, etc. . . His money squandered on riotous living and rebellion against his father and against heaven. In a hogpen he finally came to himself, (realized where he was), and decided it was time for a change. The change wasn't easy for him, but it had to be done. Someone out there still loved him, even as the world kicked him in the teeth time and time again.

Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Luk 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

With love for his son and joy in his heart upon his return home, the father accepted him back into the family as his son. The son merely wanted to be a servant, but father said, "No, you are my son and I still love you. A party we will have to announce your return from the dead, for you have now come back to life."

God can give life to that which is dead. In the valley of dry bones, the bones were lifted up and given flesh and then breath. it came up to be a mighty army, by the power of God and His will.

Luk 15:25  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

Luk 15:26  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

Luk 15:27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

 The older brother who never left his father's house heard the party that was going no. It is a sound that hadn't been heard in a very long time in the house. It was an unusual sound that he wasn't used to hearing. It was out of the ordinary way and foreign to him and everyone in the house.

 He was informed by one of the servants that his younger brother came home and there was a party of celebration on his return.

 Luk 15:28  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

 Today we can't see how someone would get angry over the return of a brother who was dead. As we study further, we will realize the root of his anger. The anger wasn't because his brother came home. I'm sure he loved his brother very much and was glad that he was home.

Luk 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

Luk 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

He was angry because of the celebration that was going on because his brother came home from a life of sin and transgression against his father. His brother used up his father's living on harlots and drinking. He turned his back on his family, but especially his father. He had become a reproach to his father by doing such things.

The older brother was angry because his father never gave him a fatted calf or had a party for him even though he never left nor disobeyed anything his father asked him to do. He felt left out and worthless.

Have you ever felt you weren't good enough for your parents, teachers at at school, your wife, husband, boyfriend of girlfriend? Many times it is our own feelings that get in the way and cause us to feel this way. We reason it out in our own minds and come up short because we don't know the whole deal.

I personally have fallen short many times in my life. I have walked with God a little over twelve (12) years now and I have fallen short in that time span also. I have gotten down on myself for falling short, but it is my insecurity that cause this most of the time. I am not saying that God has not chastised me at times. God will chastise those He loves. (Pro 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.) We should accept our chastisement with gladness because it is for our good that we are chastised.

Luk 15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

 Luk 15:32  It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.   In the end, the father was able to correct his oldest son's thinking. Everything the father had belonged to the oldest son. The celebration had to be done because the youngest son had been dead for a long time. Depression and misery had reigned in the house. No one was happy or joyful. They grieved for the younger son.   

As I wrote this, I started thinking about Jesus. We are all sons and daughters of God. The problem is that many of us are still dead. We are using up what we have received from god with riotous living. We who do this, are the same as the prodigal son. We have gone our own way and left our father's house.

Each time one of us comes home, there is a celebration in heaven. The angels rejoice and music is played. Praises to God are shouted at around the throne-room of God. A joyful noise that no man has heard while on this earth is heard throughout all of heaven.

What would it be like in heaven if Jesus was like the older son above, if He was angry and jealous because there is a celebration going on for someone who returned?

I am so glad that Jesus isn't like the older son who gets angry and jealous when celebrations go on for those who return. Jesus does in fact join in the celebrations as the older son should have done and had the opportunity to do.

Some of us are like the older son. When we see some come to God we whine and get angry. We wonder why there is a celebration for some who have been in and out of church so much they have worn the hinges on the door out.

I remember early in my walk with the Lord, there were some that I was jealous of. I also got mad at God over some of the blessings they received. It should never have happened. I should never get angry with God over blessing someone. I am glad God loves me enough to keep me. He could have let me go and stay angry, but He redeemed me and set me straight. He could have cut me off, but He allowed me to keep going. He taught me some lessons, but I receive them with gladness.

Prayer

Father God, I know that many of us have wasted what you gave us on riotous living. I thank you that you allow us to come back to your house. I thank you for your faithfulness and your love. I pray that those who read this will be strengthened in You. I also pray that those who are still dead, come back to your house and are made alive again. Let us not leave your house anymore Lord, in Jesus' name, AMEN!!!